"The Color Purple" by Alice Walker is a timeless classic, one that has never been more relevant than today. The story is about Celie and Nettie, two African American sisters who grew up in rural Georgia during the 20th century. The book starts grimly, with Celie, the protagonist, being molested and raped by her supposed "pa". The book, written in "poorly educated redneck," is written in first person, with each chapter as letters from Celie to God, and eventually letters between Celie and Nettie. I chose "The Color Purple" because I think it would cause people to realize how truly fortunate they are to have a very easy lifestyle – especially in America – filled with countless creature comforts and material wealth. It discussed and highlighted so many issues facing not only women and African Americans but also marginalized people. I was able to empathize with them because of my relationships with others during my upbringing and experiences in various private and public schools. This book allowed me to realize how fortunate I am. And as I opened my eyes to others around me, I realized how many children my age were living with challenges and battles such as Celie and Nettie. It talked about poverty, prostitution, religious and ethnic persecution, the dichotomy between rich and poor blacks, generational trauma, kidnapped children, abuse of all kinds, and so much more. While I personally did not have to experience these injustices, I’ve come to realize that a certain percentage of girls my age in America do live with these obstacles today. While the book portrayed a seemingly never-ending lifecycle of poverty and oppression, the author was able to create the potential for hope, change, and the ultimate attainment of a life with dignity and the ability to rise above the expected outcome of a young black woman in early 20th-century Georgia. I believe that this book could be not only an eye-opener to everyone about the sometimes-invisible battles people face but also be an inspiration to those who face those battles every day. Life can be overwhelming and oppressive at some points, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying your best to overcome it. It is a nod to the power we have as human beings, and I believe it could be a beacon of hope for all.

"Readers are Leaders" is something my teachers always say; they, of course, are right. Choosing my favorite book was difficult for me because I love reading and a lot of books could be considered my favorite. However, my favorite book of all time is "The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell". This is the first book in the Land of Stories series and is one of the best books I have ever read. This book follows a pair of twins, Alex and Connor, as they navigate through their grandma's magic fairytale book, trying to get back home. It is my favorite book for a multitude of reasons. For starters, it is easy to read and easy to get lost in. No matter how many times I have read it, which is quite a lot, I always find myself coming back to it. The author doesn't use big words or tricky syntax which makes it incredibly easy to read. Another reason I love this book is because it involves realistic dynamics between siblings, teenagers, and family. As a someone who also has a sibling and has gone through similar things, I easily connected with their experiences, especially since it discusses the emotions surrounding the death of a loved one, something I have also experienced. My last reason for being in love with this book is that it focuses on character development and not romance. Throughout the series there is a lot of character growth, but the first book is full of it. Alex and Connor have to development emotionally, physically and in maturity in order to find the spell to send them home. It is an amazing book that I can connect with and come back to whenever I'm bored. It hits all the points of any great book.

Friendship is generosity, honesty, laughter, kindness, and loyalty. It is everything. It is something you can rely on, something that can be stronger than familial ties. Friendship means being there for someone through thick and thin, and trusting that they will be there for you in turn. It means doing what is best for your friend, even if you break their trust trying to help them out of a bad situation. It also means helping them to see the good in themselves even if they can't see it. Friendship is having a code, like girl code, with secret conversations with only your eye expressions, having rules you live by. It means you can show your truest self to someone, everything that makes you, you. It means being able to read someone else, and knowing when they need a distraction or an ear to listen in hard times. It can be a quiet thing or a loud thing, funny or serious, and more. To me, friendship is a necessary part of ourselves. It is a beautiful thing. Sometimes my friends know me better than myself, better than my family. Friendship is something I don't think I could live without, and why would I want to? I love my friends, the laughs we share, the pains we help each other carry. I hope that when I find someone, we will have a strong friendship, because friendship is just that magical. It's like the feeling of hearing babies and children laughing, of joyous laughter among friends. Whenever I'm with my friends I feel alive and whole. Friendship, to me, is a songbird singing in my soul, it is a way I will chose to live by.

Laugh at yourself, celebrate the small victories, and relish in the journey. These are some of the most important lessons I have been taught and applied to my daily life. When you fall or make a mistake, most times someone will laugh at you, but it's up to you to change their perception of you. By laughing at yourself, you show others and yourself that you can grow as a person, you can accept defeat gracefully and get back up with renewed vigor and determination. I have laughed at myself for falling down when I mess up a kick, when I didn't do too well on a test, and when I had forgotten to get gas so I had to turn around. Laughter has made life better for me. I also celebrate the small victories and relish in the journey. The journey to becoming a black belt is a long one, with many small steps along the way. By celebrating the small victories (ranking up or earning a stripe) and by being excited for every class, I made my life better. My journey feels more worth it; I feel happier and more satisfied with myself. Getting ice cream after a belt promotion is one way I have celebrated the victories. Being a martial artist isn't a once and done thing, it's a lifelong creed, but it needs to be worth it, and it's up to you to make it so.